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ITALY FLAG A
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ITALY RED
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ITALY FLAG B
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ITALY BLESSING
Italian Blessing
"Lord, we ask you to help us make this house a home where its foundation is built upon the Lord...Where its rooms are warm with years of laughter, dreams and family memories...Where its windows look out upon the world and reflect the beauty and blessing near at hand...Where its doors are open wide and welcome all those who would share the love that lives here."
(Printed in English on reverse.)
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ITALY CUSTOMS - Gold
Among Italians a novena, nine days of religious preparations precedes Christmas. On December 23rd (or earlier) a zampognari (bagpipers) shepherds or costumed children go from house to house singing carols before the family precepio (manger scene). The precepio began with St. Francis of Assissi in 1223. Before the traditional Yule log is lit on Christmas Eve, each child must recite a sermon to the Christ Child. Gift-giving is reserved for the Day of Epiphany, January 6th. On the twelfth night, Befana, the old woman who foolishly refused to help the Wise Men, brings candies and distributes gifts to the children. |
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ITALY ANGEL
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ITALY WINE BLESSING
Italian Blessing
May your life be like good wine, tasty, sharp and clear, and like good wine may it improve with every passing year.
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GONDOLIER
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ITALY PRAYER
Italian Prayer
"May your soul rest in God. He is your Saviour; your hope and your glory." (Italian version on the front, English version on reverse.)
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LEANING TOWER OF PISA
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